Saturday, November 8, 2014

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) held its 46th National Congress recently on 8th November 2014. As this year's congress was an election year, the delegates had also elected a new central committee for the ensuing year 2014-2016.

In the congress, number of resolutions were tabled, debated and passed, while delegates also gave their views on the current political situation in our nation.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

As the people are getting fed up with the intense politicking of both the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition Pakatan Rakyat, it is time for political parties outside of BN and Pakatan to seriously consider joining forces to become an alternative voice for the people. It is also time for the people to seriously reconsider their voting trend to prevent these two coalitions from becoming too powerful.

BN’s 1Malaysia has become a mere slogan of convenience instead of promoting a non-racial approach and national unity as the ruling coalition’s dominant Umno is expounding racial and religious extremism, hate politics and threats. Other BN component parties like MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP had failed to prevent Umno from swaying to the right and had since become irrelevant. Corruption, power abuse and mismanagement by the ruling coalition are still happening.

On Pakatan’s side, many promises made in the last two general elections remain unfulfilled and are fading away. Crucial ones like the restoration of local council elections and parliamentary reforms had not been pursued seriously by Pakatan-led state governments. It is known that one of the Pakatan component parties is not in favour of local council elections but did not publicly oppose it.

Are we expecting them to shirk more of their public responsibilities?

It was the people’s disillusionment with BN that prompted them to vote Pakatan, in the hope of strengthening the opposition bench for more effective checks and balances.

However, Pakatan has performed below the people’s expectations. So, should we then vote for BN again in the next general election despite knowing its past and current misdeeds and wrongdoings? The people should be more careful in their voting.

Due to such unfavourable political trends, many would opt to stay at home and not vote for any of the two coalitions come polling day, but will such boycotts from the silent majority move these two coalitions? Certainly it will not.

First of all, why depend on a two-party system and limit our democratic choice to only voting BN or Pakatan? Why can’t we opt for a multi-party system by voting political parties outside of the BN and Pakatan coalitions into the legislatures so that issues of both BN and Pakatan can be exposed and scrutinised to ensure their implementation of policies will not go astray?

It is understood that Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has roped in Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and a left-leaning NGO, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) as well as other leftist NGOs to form the Left Coalition with the intention of educating people on greater democracy, equality and the third vote (local council elections).

Prior to that, PSM has been caught in an unusual position cooperating with Pakatan after the opposition coalition’s refusal to accept its application. In the last general election (GE13), PSM had a bitter experience of being betrayed by Pakatan when its candidates were challenged by Pakatan component parties.

Apart from that, PSM was also forced to adopt the PKR emblem when it contested two seats each in GE12 and GE13, on grounds that PSM’s fist emblem was unsuitable to the electorate. How long will PSM have to tolerate such an unjust situation?

PSM stressed that the newly formed but not formalised Left Coalition will only act as a watchdog to expose both BN and Pakatan administrations, politics and policies and cautioning them when they go astray, admitting that the newly formed coalition was not yet a third force. On the other hand PSM has yet to give up its attempt to join the Pakatan coalition.

But why has PSM initiated the Left Coalition while still harbouring hopes of joining Pakatan one day? Has PSM forgotten how it was betrayed in GE13 when it lost a state seat in a multi-cornered fight?

By looking at the situations in BN and Pakatan now, hasn’t PSM realised the importance of the Left Coalition and the need to let the people know why it should emerge as a third force? You are the alternative for the people but why still hesitate?

The people have become disillusioned with both BN and Pakatan, and the Left Coalition should take this opportunity to step in to serve the purpose.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

A five-day work week may seem the norm for many in the country, both in the private and public sectors.

But this is apparently not the case, according to the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) who reportedly has been receiving complaints that many companies in the forwarding, shipping, logistic and ancillary service sectors were still practising a six-day work week with Saturdays as half day.

An MTUC survey showed that these companies dealt mainly with businesses that closed on Saturdays, thereby bringing into question the point of having employees work on that day.

Thus, MTUC wants the government to make it compulsory for the private sector to implement a five-day work week to increase productivity and allow for families to have more quality time together.

However, Malaysia Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan told theantdaily that such a move was not practical.

“To make it compulsory is not going to be practical because various sectors are not able to go for a five-day week, especially sectors that work 365 days a year, such as the media, hotels and public transportation sectors.

“To make it compulsory will incur additional costs to such employers. Having said that, there are also some employers who allow a four-day week where their employees work 12 hours daily. This is quite popular with Japanese manufacturing companies,” he said.

Another inhibiting factor to a five-day work week, said Shamsuddin, is the Employment Act 1955 whose provisions were mostly drawn up in the 1950s when most companies worked six days a week.

“For example, there is the 22 days of sick leave provided for under the Employment Act which was provided for in the 1950s when most companies had a six-day work week. To encourage companies to go for a five-day work week, sick leave, annual leave as well as public holidays should also be reduced proportionately.

“We are not trying to obtain an unfair advantage. It’s only fair as employees will be getting an additional 52 days off with a five-day week,” he said.

MTUC deputy secretary-general A Balasubramaniam reportedly said the governments should make it compulsory for the private sector to implement a five-day work week to increase productivity as well as help in streamlining the working days with government agencies, departments and financial institutions.

Balasubramaniam said it was a waste of time and money in addition to lowering employee morale to have a six-day work week.

He urged the Human Resources Ministry to take the initiative to educate businesses on the benefits of a five-day week, including their employees having more leisure and quality time with their families and friends.

With Malaysia considered one of the countries with the most number of public holidays in the world, it is understandable where Shamsuddin is coming from as an employer.

Theoretically, the additional days off would be set off by longer work hours but some employers may have no need for employers to stay beyond certain hours a day, thus needing a six-day week to make up the necessary hours.

As Shamsuddin pointed out, making it compulsory will not work. The government will need to make it worthwhile for companies to do so.

Putrajaya should make it compulsory for the private sector to implement a five-day work week to increase productivity, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) said today.

Its deputy secretary-general, A.Balasubramaniam, said this would also help to streamline the working days with government agencies, departments and financial institutions.

He said MTUC had been receiving complaints that many companies in the shipping, forwarding, logistic and ancillary service sectors were still practising a six-day work week with Saturdays as half-day.

An MTUC survey revealed that these companies dealt mainly with businesses thatclosed on Saturdays.

"What use is it to open for business when your counterparts are closed?"

He added that it was a waste of time and money, besides lowering employee morale.

He said the Human Resources Ministry should take the initiative to educate these businesses on the benefits of a five-day work week, which, among others, provided leisure and quality time for employees to be with their families and friends, and improve the overall job satisfaction and quality of life. – Bernama, July 15, 2014.- TMI

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

As Malaysian voters vacillate between the programmes of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat, much has been said, but little has been done, about establishing a genuine 'third' force' in Malaysian politics.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has been treading an unusual path, co-operating with Pakatan, but also finding itself in a number of unpleasant tussles with its component members.

Aiming to bring socialist ideology back into the country's political discourse, PSM is now mooting the Left Coalition.

Together with partners Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), and several other groups the party intends to educate the people about greater democracy and equality.

PSM president Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim believes the Left Coalition will act as a 'watchdog', exposing issues in both Barisan and Pakatan administrations and cautioning them if they have gone astray.

He admitted the coalition was not yet the third force it hopes to be, as its initial focus was to analyse public mindset and attract more members who could be critical and not political.

"But if ever Malaysians become too disillusioned with both sides of the political divide, then we would want to step in to resolve the problem, and become a political force to be reckoned with," he told The Star Online recently.

Despite a slow start, the informal coalition recently formed five subcommittees to look into several areas dealing primarily with education on leftist ideology and the role of the left in Malaysian history, trade unionism, social media engagement, drafting left policies, as well as mass movement and action.

Their ideas and findings will be presented when the coalition meets again in July.

It has also finished drafting a constitution outlining the collective objectives of the member bodies, with quarterly meetings being held to discuss issues of interest.

However, it is not planning to become a registered coalition just yet, nor one that would contest in elections.

"Right now, the focus is on getting our programmes underway, as we feel that only by conducting regular activities and having a clear direction can we get stronger as a coalition," said PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvan.

There is still the prickly issue of PSM's involvement with Pakatan Rakyat, with a proposed merger prior to last year's general election being rejected by the latter.

Arutchelvan refused to close the chapter on a possible link-up with the opposition coalition in the future, but was also clear about not wanting to wait around for a decision from its leaders.

"At the moment, PSM is not focusing on this (merging with Pakatan Rakyat). We do not wish to wait around for their decision. We will go ahead with our plans, and if Pakatan feels that we should join them, they must write to us.

"When that time comes, we will discuss it with our Left Coalition partners," he said.

Meanwhile, PRM, one of the oldest political parties in the country that is now rebuilding itself after most of its members joined the merger with PKR in 2003, is hoping the Left Coalition will help further its long-time agenda of a proportional representation of the voting system.

Its president Dr Rohana Ariffin sees the coalition as a coming together of organisations with similar interests, though she believes they should still be able to fight for their individual goals.

"The coalition is a collaborative effort to educate the public - especially those who are dissatisfied with the current political landscape but are unsure how to bring about change.

"As a coalition member, PRM still runs its own programmes and works together on other activities," she said when contacted.

PSM is expected to address some pertinent issues when it convenes for its 16th National Congress in Port Dickson this weekend from June 13-15.

Among the topics to be debated are how the socialist party plans to stack up against the Islamic politics that is taking centrestage in Malaysia - for instance, if it sees itself working with a party like PAS.It will also discuss the transition of power among the party's top leadership to ensure a smooth process, as the terms of its current leaders will expire in 2018.- TheStaronline/PSM website

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

A friend of mine who is back for holidays from Alabama, US (yes, yes, Obama is president of the country!) swaggered towards the mamak shop as we have decided to met over a cup of teh tarik. "Hey" he said "what 's this I heard about the Hudud coming to town man? " " Er..yes," I replied " "a lot of talk over here except it tones down a little whenever there is a by-election". He asked me if I support the hudud and I vaguely answered that as a Muslim I must adhere to it as we must have blind faith to avoid ostracism by other faithful obedient Muslims.

He frowned and after thinking awhile said " But I have several questions to ask you because details need to be clarified. First, the chopping of limbs because of stealing. Now does it commensurate with the amount or value stolen? Let's say that a person stole a motorbike and another stole a few million by white collar crimes, which is rampant these days ...and politicians who squandered the Rakyat's money? Now surely not all amount is treated equivalent to one limb or limbs ? "

"Taking all their crimes into consideration and the reality are that almost half of parliamentarians and state assembly men/women are involved, do we cut off their fingers, arms and legs?" "Wallo," he continues" this means we need to build many rams in parliament and state assemblies as we have to catered to these people". "Can I have the contract to build them?" he asked me. I said that it is not fair to the naturally handicapped people who have been born with one or two limbs missing to be wrongly viewed by people to equate them with those who had their limbs amputated due to their crime. This is especially when they want to go to attend some state and parliament proceedings?

"Hah!" he said. "Then we build two separate rams. One label states for the naturally handicap and the other states Others! "Never mind he said, if he gets the contract to build the rams, he is happy enough to let go off his conscience.

Then I thought what if the money has been sent to an overseas bank or has been used to buy property in their spouse or relatives names? Do we also punish the conspirators as well?

"Another question again' he said". The stoning of adulterers... I heard that the stones have to be of certain diameter and weight so that killing victim could be done effectively. Are they thinking of building a stone factory, medium or big scale to make the stones? And can I get the contract?"

"Then how about rape?" "Isn't it enough that we have DNA sampling now, instead of resorting to four male witness? As that time of ruling there was no technology of ballistic, DNA technique, forensic behaviour specialists...." on and on he went with modern technologies "and what the hack, should four men standby folding their arms and not doing anything while the poor woman was being rape?...voyeurs ke?" I meekly said that since all these new technology are discovered by the west, maybe they are not suitable for Muslim societies!

As I could not give him a decent explanation as I am not schooled in islamic legislation nor even from a pondok school, before getting up he throw me another question. "Hey, how about cultural dances? Would hudud ban my favourite Dangdut?." I also thought, what is life without music and festivities?

He then laughed and said that since he is going back to secular America and perhaps would not secure the proposed contracts, he wished me luck and cautioned me not to commit any simple crime like stealing visible objects!! He then swaggered into the sunset.-Rakyattimes.com

Friday, December 6, 2013

By Dr Rohana AriffinAfter the British papers came out with news of three women being held captive by a couple two weeks ago, out of the blue, a close friend and London returnee called me.

“Hey,” he said through the phone “do you remember Aishah and Chairman Ara?”. Cracking my old brain to remember friends or acquaintances of 40 years and beyond, I meekly replied “er...vaguely...”.

In his usual excitment, he said “ala..you must remember, you got to remember!" with such insistence especially when a Daily Telegraph reporter was accompanying him to talk to old returnees from London of the seventies.

Well, this brings me to recollect the old days of the seventies when I was a post-graduate student there. This was the time of the Vietnam War, Black civil movement in the United States and the feminist struggle which took front stage.

Thousands of students were aroused with those issues with debates and speeches and demonstrations held against the Vietnam War, and strong support for the black and feminist movement.

It was the heyday of the Left or socialist movement.

Unlike the early eighties when Iran fell to the Ayatollahs, when overseas Malaysian students were befriended and roped into Islamic groups, the seventies marked a time when Malaysian students were also persuaded by various shades of Maoism, socialism and Marxism.

This was sometimes led by a more collective leadership and a few led by strong personalities and resembling a cultish group.

At that time, besides college and university students, there were many young women who went to London for training in nursing and some did attend such groups.

Similar to the cult of the eighties and till today, based mainly on religious differences as exemplified by the Ayah Pin episode, some of these left wing cult leaders preached strong loyalty to the group.

Some followers were even told to stop studying and leave their universities as, had they continued studying, it may turn them into a petty bourgeois.

Afterall, this is a proletariat struggle and therefore one has to be a proletariat to be part of the movement and to be in the vanguard!

Many members were told not to mix with other left groups as this may “contaminate” their ideas. Therefore, such vulnerability should be preserved.

In the extreme, they were encouraged to minimise or even severe any contacts with relatives and families.

Many did not return to Malaysia and they continue to stay in Britain, not to enjoy the British weather, food and hospitality!!

Their mission was to carry out their belief to change the capitalist system to socialism and to fight imperialism all the way especially after the collapse of the Cold War.

The surge of the United States as a dominant force unchallenged by any other country, has led to the interference of the US in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Thus, the story of Aishah is not about slavery (or sex slavery) but more of devotion to a certain belief and struggle.

This was led by a charismatic (?) or influential leader who was well read and with knowledge of politics grounded much earlier than his followers, being more matured and had some networking before the arrival of these young students.

The strong personality of the leader was of utmost importance, some even bordering on authoritarianism.

Splinter groups were found everywhere, some more open, others more closed and cultish.

Whatever is said and done, it is a path an individual chooses, depending on one's perspective of the world and the commitment to either maintain the status quo or bring changes for a better equity and distribution of wealth in a society.- The Staronline

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Party Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) has recently held its 45th National Congress at the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) on 17th November 2013.

The congress was officiated by party president Dr Rohana Ariffin who later presented her policy speech to the delegates, invited guests, fraternal parties and the press. In her policy speech, Dr Rohana had stressed on the need to have a proportional voting system instead of the first-past-the-post-system which had given advantage to only bigger and stronger political parties to dominate the political scene.

Apart from that, our party president also touched on the importance of the youth movement, the international politics and urge party delegates and members to continue their struggle against capitalism.

Also invited to the congress were Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) chairman, Dr Nasir Hashim, PSM secretary-general S.Arutchelvan, ABU chairman, Haris Ibrahim and other members of the Socialist groups.

After the opening of the congress, party secretary-general Al--Jafree Yusop later tabled the party's annual report and the minutes of the previous year's national congress, followed by party's financial report, debates on the party president's policy speech and discussion on resolutions forwarded by the delegates.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) is one of the oldest parties in the country but has yet to make an impact on the national scene. This is simply because under the two-party system practised in Malaysia, smaller parties like PRM stand no chance of making it big.

Hence, PRM wants to change this traditional system because it believes it is not benefiting the people. It is now pushing for the proportional voting system.

“Under the current two-party system, smaller parties get wiped out. No representatives from these parties have ever been elected to the State Legislative Assembly or Parliament,” PRM president Dr Rohana Ariffin told theantdaily.

“Under the proportional voting system, a fairer representation of the various groups in our society could be better represented,” she added.

“For instance, the aborigines comprised seven per cent of the population; they should get at least about similar representation in Parliament.

“Women and youths, too, would have a bigger share of political representation in Parliament. Not only are bigger political parties represented in Parliament but we will also have MPs representing other interest groups and smaller parties,” she said.

PRM was founded by Ahmad Boestamam on Nov 11, 1955. In 2003, it merged with Parti Keadilan Nasional to become Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

However, in 2007 the court declared that PRM still exists. After the historic 2008 general election, Pakatan Rakyat was formed but PRM stayed out of it.

PRM now plans to continue its role as a political and social critique of any unequal economic and social relations and of any form of exploitation, corruption and abuse of power in the country.

“Our vision is contrary to the mainstream thinking of both the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan.

The results of the 13th general election showed a clear a political divide between those who supported the government and those opposing it,” said Rohana.

“This clearly reflected the typical Malaysian mindset: an unchanging pattern continuing for many years, voting primarily for political parties rather than for any good candidates who may have served them well over the years or having the potential to do so,” she added.

PRM may be a very old party but Rohana said the party is still active. She pointed out that its small membership was due to several factors

.

“One, some members have accepted the merger of PKR. Two, some members were not sure where to go from there.

“Some members have complained of feeling being ‘let down’ by the former leaders and thus have no more faith to be in PRM. Some felt the need to reorganise the party to strengthen it,” she said.

“The public perception is that PRM does not exist any longer, particularly among the urban youths,” said Rohana, who was an associate professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

The party, however, has not lost its traditional struggle, that is, fighting against injustice.

According to Rohana, PRM believed that all oppressive institutions that curb basic human rights irrespective of gender and age should be abolished.

“These outdated institutions included propagating fascistic and fanatical tendencies; they should be replaced with institutions that support human rights with humanity and compassion,” she said.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

The idea of a third force is getting popular because many citizens are feeling disillusioned with Pakatan Rakyat, said a political scientist.

Wong Chin Huat said the disillusion stems largely from Pakatan’s failure to convince Malaysians that it can be really different from Barisan Nasional (BN), notwithstanding the remarkable reforms carried out in Penang and Selangor.

“A major contributor to the perception that Pakatan is just another bunch of power-crazy politicians is its in-fighting. More likely, they lack confidence so they are fighting a life-and-death battle for whatever they have now."

“Perhaps they are infiltrated by ‘Trojan Horses’ sent by Umno or BN. More likely, they are simply too trapped in the winner-takes-all mentality so prevalent in Malaysian politics,” said Wong, who is also a fellow at Penang Institute, a think tank linked to the Penang state government.

In the build-up to the 13th general election, talk was rife that a third force would take shape to challenge the BN, but it all remained a dream.

But Wong believes the third force can work given the voters' distrust of politicians.

According to him, if voters do not trust politicians now, they should take upon themselves the task of becoming agents of change.

They should put more trust in their ability to change politicians and not just be cynical and bitter, he said.

“The third force can take the form of organisations and movements such as Bersih 2.0 which is civil society-led.

“If Malaysians are eventually strong enough to stop flawed political elections, the two coalitions (BN and Pakatan) will get the message...,” he told theantdaily.

During Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s (PSM) 15th national congress last June, party members have agreed to form a non-electoral alliance among the left political parties and NGOs in Malaysia.

According to PSM chairman Dr Nasir Hashim, the alliance could eventually be turned into a third force to contest in the next general election.

“This (third force) will happen once we feel we are ready to face the challenge,” he added.

But why a non-electoral alliance instead of an electoral one?

Nasir said PSM is concentrating on empowering its members and the left movement in this country.

This is to ensure that they will be well prepared to face the rakyat and explain to them what socialism is and how it can help them, he said.

“The process of empowering our members and the left movement in this country is important to prepare them in facing the challenges ahead.

“You must understand that we have been backstabbed by our ‘friends’ in Pakatan during GE13, and we have been demonised by the ruling party for so long. I think it’s time for PSM to make extra effort to explain to the people what socialism really is,” he said.

Nasir has once described PSM’s relations with Pakatan as a “mess” in the run-up to the hotly contested GE13.

He said PSM realised that it had entered the May polls without strength and was hoping for a one-on-one contest and also Pakatan votes to ensure victory.

“As a result of the obstacles and sabotage, we were left alone (in GE13) to face our enemies in Pakatan and also BN. They took the opportunity to exploit this as had happened in Kota Damansara, where PAS said it expected to win with the support of PKR and Umno,” he said.

Nasir won the Kota Damansara state seat on a PKR ticket in the 2008 general election, but in the May polls lost it to BN in a three-cornered fight.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) not only has to contend with an uneasy political relationship with Pakatan Rakyat, but also has to address the false perception people have about socialism.

It is a difficult task to change the public perception of the socialist party but it is not going to deter PSM chairman Dr Nasir Hashim from taking corrective measures.

According to him, PSM has been accused of being a bunch of terrorists and communists, among others.

It didn’t help PSM’s cause that during the 13th general election (GE13), PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang even described PSM as a party that glorified the communist movement with photographs of Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Karl Mark and other communist leaders.

To rectify the situation, PSM has decided to form a non-electoral alliance with NGOs to educate the people on socialism.

The left-wing party has also come under attack over its alleged atheistic leaning, but Nasir was quick to refute the allegation.

He said socialism is not far from the teachings of Islam.

He added that in Surah Al-Qasas from the Quran it is mentioned: “And we wish to give blessings to those who have been exploited on earth and wish to make them leaders, also make them the inheritors [of this earth].”

“That is exactly what we are fighting for, so the claim that socialism is against the teachings of Islam is baseless,” said Nasir. He added that the socialist ideology has to take into consideration the local surroundings.

He said it is important to study how a noble idea like socialism can be effective in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Malaysia.

“It has to go through a process of adaptation, because while we see that socialist countries like Cuba and Venezuela have developed, we have to further study whether their ideas there could be adapted to our struggle in Malaysia in the local context,” he said.

Small political parties like PSM have always been a victim of the electoral system being practised in Malaysia.

The first-past-the-post system tends to favour a dual-party system, where most of the time there are only two major choices for the voters to choose.

The entrance of a third party will always be perceived as an attempt to split votes through three-cornered fights.

PSM, founded in 1998, is an offshoot of Parti Rakyat Malaysia. For the first 10 years, PSM was denied registration as a political party by the government because it was considered a threat to national security.

However, the Home Ministry gave it the green light in June 2008. PSM won only one parliamentary seat in GE13 when its candidate Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj retained the Sungei Siput seat in Perak.